Durham E-Theses Conicts in church and society in Uganda with special reference to culture, politics and education Gaalimaka, Herbert I. How to cite: Gaalimaka, Herbert I. (1997) Conicts in church and society in Uganda with special reference to culture, politics and education, Durham theses, Durham University. Available at Durham E-Theses Online: http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/4901/ Use policy The full-text may be used and/or reproduced, and given to third parties in any format or medium, without prior permission or charge, for personal research or study, educational, or not-for-prot purposes provided that: • a full bibliographic reference is made to the original source • a link is made to the metadata record in Durham E-Theses • the full-text is not changed in any way The full-text must not be sold in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders. Please consult the full Durham E-Theses policy for further details. Academic Support Oce, Durham University, University Oce, Old Elvet, Durham DH1 3HP e-mail: [email protected] Tel: +44 0191 334 6107 http://etheses.dur.ac.uk 2 CONFLICTS IN CHURCH AND SOCIETY IN UGANDA WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO CULTURE, POLmCS AND EDUCATION. By The Reverend Herbert L Gaalimaka I he copyright ot Uus Uiesis rests with tlie autlior. No quotation from it should be published witliout the written consent of the author and iafomiatiou derived from it should be acknowledged. M.A. Thesis University of Durham Department of Theology June 1997 1 2 HAY 1998 THESIS ABSTRACT Author: Reverend Herbert Ithnm Gaalimaka. Title; Conflicts in Church and Society in Uganda with Special Reference to Cultiu^, Politics and Education. Degree: M.A. (Durham University), 1997. This thesis examines the conflicts which emerged from the way the Church in Uganda generally (and the Anglican Church of Uganda (ACU) in particular) interacted with the society on three key fronts: culturally, politically and educationally. The aim is to exhibit the historical development of the Chiurch in light of those areas; and the impact that development has had on the society, and so pose a challenge for the present ACU to reflect on and aa for a viable and more acceptable ministry in fiiiure free of conflict favouritism and domination. Chapter I covers the historical background from 1877-1962; it describes the coining of the CMS missionaries to Uganda following Muteesa Fs invitation to be followed later by the Roman Catholic missionaries. It describes how religious conttoversies between these two groups dominated Ugandan politics. The road leading to a Uganda protectorate and the developments initiated by both the missionaries and the colonial government including education, health services and economy, are also set out. Chapter II looks at the culture into which Christianity came and the nature of their clash leading to an age long conflict. It highlights the model operated by the missionaries, its weaknesses and strengths. It describes some alternative models from Africa and the Caribbean and lastly suggests the best way forward. Chapter UI deals with the Church and Colonialism, their invasion of the traditional pohtical structure and the developments brought about by the two institutions. The beginning of political parties following the political and economic dissatisfaction of the Ugandan society, so paving the way to independence, is discussed here. Featured also are the colonial policies answerable for the age long suffering in Uganda and the model responsible for church and state interdependence which reigns to this day. It cites alternative models and suggests which way to go. This chapter covers pre- independence, and post independence to the present day. Chapter IV looks at the traditional form of education and its values. It highlights the iniroduciion of the missionary western form of education, its charaaeristics and goals which in many ways divorced the learner from his/her roots. It shows both the native society and the colonial government losing confidence in that system of education and seeking to replace it with a government-run system of education. This chapter also looks at other models from elsewhere and suggests a way fonvard This thesis is entirely my own work. None of the material has previously been submitted for a degree in this or any other university nor for consideration by any other degree awarding body. The copyright of this thesis rests with the author. No quotation from it should be published without his private writen consent, and information derived from it should be acknowledged. HI Contents Page Acknowledgements (v) Abbreviations (vi) Introduction 1 Chapter I: The Historical Background from 1877 to 1962 4 Chapter II: The Church and Cultural practices in Uganda 31 Chapter III: Christianity/Colonialism and the Political Systems of Uganda: Impact and Consequences 79 Chapter IV: Missionary Education in Uganda 132 Appendix (Map of Uganda) Bibliography, 161 IV Acknovyledgements Dedication to my wife Joyce Gaalimaka for her encouragement and patience throughout my course. This thesis is a result of Dr. Alan Suggate's inspiration and encouragement and for that I am indebted to his one-year supervisory work. I also wish to offer special thanks to Brian and Mariaime Young who have generously typed my work. Deep thanks also go to Prof Emeritus Gordon Batho, Rev. John Pritchard and Joan M. Kenworthy who helped me raise the funds for my M.A. course. Abbreviations ACU Anglican Church of Uganda BUWPA Baganda Urban Workers' Peasant Association CMS Church Mission Society Cor. Corinthians CPK Church of the Province of Kenya CRE Christian Religious Education Deut. Deuteronomy DP Democratic Party Ex. Exodus FEDEM Federal Democratic Movement GSU General Service Unit EBEA Imperial British East African Company IMF International Monetary Fund Is. Isaiah Jn. John Ky. Kabaka Yekka Lev. Leviticus Lk. Luke Mt. Matthew NAAM National association for Advancement of Muslims NRA National Resistance Army NRC National Resistance Council NRM National Resistance Movement Phil. Philippians PP Progressive Party Prov. Proverbs Rev. Revelations Res Resistance Councils Rom. Romans UNC Uganda National Congress umF Uganda National Liberation Front UPC Uganda Peoples Congress UPM Uganda Peoples Movement UPU Uganda Peoples Union VI INTRODUCTION The religious, political and educational systems in Uganda find their origin in the missionary work of the late nineteenth century. The arrival and operation of the two rival Christian groups, the Anglicans and the Roman Catholics, have left a lasting unpression on the Ugandan society. There are both good things to remember these missionaries for and also negative effects which resulted fi^om the way they sought to shape the newly bom nation of Uganda. This thesis therefore seeks to discuss the nature of the missionary operation in Uganda in close association with the colonialists whom they invited shortly after their arrival. It purposes to discuss the conflicts which have arisen fi-om the missionary approach on three fronts: on culture, politics and education. The aim is then to challenge the present day church (and the Anglican Church in particular) to make a carefitl study, reflecting on the past, noting the shortcomings in those areas and projecting its future ministry with a clear vision which will save the fliture generations from future agony re-defining the Church's role. This thesis falls under four chapters: chapter I is the 'Historical Background' which covers the period from 1877-1962. It describes the coming of the CMS missionaries in response to King Muteesa I's invitation. These were followed by the Roman Catholic missionaries and on these two groups hinge the later discussions in this chapter, for instance their confrontations and later involvement in the political arena of Buganda and later Uganda and the invitation of the British Government to secure Uganda for CMS operations (in particular) and Britain (generally). The background also looks at how colonialism and missionary work spread to other areas outside of Bugunda conflicting with the traditional life styles of the people as they swept through the land. It mentions briefly some new developments initiated by both the missionaries and colonialists and later hints at the dissatisfaction which arose amongst the native people religiously, leading to independent churches whose nationalistic spirit later led to political parties. Chapter II covers the Church and cultural practices. It is not so easy to date this section but certainly it stretches right through from the missionary days until the present time as many things which for instance were condemned by the missionaries are still held captive by the Church to this day. This chapter begins by describing the culture into which Christianity came, its values and goals. It then highlights the introduction of Christianity and the conflict which followed that interaction. This chapter identifies the model the missionaries operated which precipitated the conflicts. It discusses its weaknesses as well as its strengths. The chapter explores other models suitable for the Ugandan Church and cultural situation today and ends by recommending the best way to go. Chapter HI focuses on Christianity/colonialism and the political systems of Uganda. It features the political development of Uganda carrying forward through independence to the present day. It begins by describing the traditional political structure and how it was soon overrun by the new administration. It also discusses the introduction of the market economy which the colonialists introduced and managed, conflicting with the traditional system and therefore breaking up the society. It exposes the discomfort which the natives felt and which inspired them to struggle for their independence, though not violently. It is in this chapter that missionary and colonial policies are exposed which were responsible for the tribal and religious strife that Uganda continues to endure to this day. Later this chapter looks at the pedigree of this model which has kept the Church and politics closely bound together, its strengths and weaknesses.